NFL Star Faces Serious Charges
Detroit Lions Cornerback Terrion Arnold Charged as Alleged Primary Conspirator in Kidnapping and Robbery Plot
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Key Points
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The state release states Arnold believed the missing Airbnb items were worth more than $200,000, and notes there is no evidence the victims were involved in the theft.
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Boakai Hilton is alleged to have orchestrated the robbery and beating and faces life in prison on multiple counts; a police video describes Hilton as Arnold's 'childhood best friend.'
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Two co-defendants pleaded guilty: Jasmine Randazzo was sentenced to four years; Arianna Del Valle entered an open plea with sentencing later; both must testify truthfully in future proceedings.
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A pretrial motion to keep Arnold jailed until trial is planned, with the state arguing he is a danger to the community; a hearing date has not yet been set.
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Arnold is the seventh person arrested in connection with the February Tampa incident.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold turned himself in at Orient Road Jail on June 24, 2026, facing four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery in Florida — charges that carry a potential sentence of life in prison, CBS News reported. Arnold, a 23-year-old first-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, is the seventh person arrested in connection with a violent February ambush in Tampa.
Florida State Attorney Suzy Lopez said Arnold coordinated others to lure three men to a Tampa apartment, where they were robbed, beaten, and held at gunpoint. "No one has the right to take the law into their own hands," Lopez said. "A dispute over missing property does not justify kidnapping, violence, or retaliation."
A Burglary Sparked a Violent Retaliatory Ambush
The case began February 1, 2026, when Arnold's Airbnb in Largo, Florida, was burglarized. Stolen items included designer bags, jewelry, an $80,000 necklace, and roughly $100,000 in cash, according to Detroit News. Arnold and associate Boakai Hilton Jr. reported the theft to police on February 3, estimating total losses at over $250,000.
Within hours of filing that police report, a retaliatory ambush was carried out. Three men were lured to an apartment on N. 46th Street in Tampa and attacked between midnight and 2 AM on February 4, CBS News reported. Tampa Police later confirmed the victims had no involvement in the original burglary — meaning the men were targeted by mistake.
Arnold's Childhood Friend Allegedly Directed the Attack via FaceTime
Boakai Hilton Jr., described in police videos as Arnold's "childhood best friend," is accused of orchestrating the robbery and beating. According to Detroit News, Hilton allegedly directed the assault via FaceTime while traveling with Arnold. Arnold's girlfriend, Arianna Del Valle, is accused of luring the victims and streaming the attack live to Arnold on FaceTime.
Lyndell Hudson II and Christion Williams allegedly hid in a closet and ambushed the victims with firearms. A group chat was used to coordinate the attack, and FaceTime footage showed victims being pistol-whipped — footage allegedly streamed directly to Arnold, CBS News reported. Hilton faces multiple counts with life-in-prison potential. In February, Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy noted Arnold allegedly "decided to take matters into his own hands."
Two Co-Defendants Plead Guilty, Agree to Testify Against Arnold
On the same day Arnold turned himself in, co-defendants Jasmine Randazzo and Arianna Del Valle both pleaded guilty in court, CBS News reported. Randazzo, who helped lure the victims, was sentenced to four years in prison plus six years of probation. Del Valle entered an open plea, with sentencing scheduled later. Both are required to testify truthfully in future proceedings.
Legal analysts say the timing is significant. The state coordinating two guilty pleas on the same day as Arnold's arrest suggests prosecutors have locked in testimony that directly links Arnold to the crime, according to reporting by Clutch Points. The state is also planning a pretrial motion to keep Arnold jailed until trial, arguing he is a danger to the community. No hearing date has been set yet.
Lions Stay Silent as Arnold Faces NFL Suspension Risk
The Detroit Lions issued a brief statement after news broke. "We are aware of the legal situation regarding Terrion Arnold," the team said. "We will not comment at this time out of respect for the ongoing legal process." Arnold's defense attorney, R. Timothy Jansen, had previously said Arnold had "no involvement whatsoever" and was not present during any conduct related to the charges, per Detroit News.
Beyond the courtroom, Arnold faces major NFL consequences. Analysts say he is likely to land on the Commissioner's Exempt List, which would bar him from all team activities while his case plays out, according to Gridiron Heroics. Arnold was drafted to anchor the Lions' secondary. His absence leaves a significant gap as Detroit prepares for the 2026 season.
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